# University of France

> former university in France

**Wikidata**: [Q3551587](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3551587)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_France)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/university-of-france

## Summary
The University of France (also known as the Université impériale) was a former academic institution founded by Napoleon to oversee public education throughout the French Empire. Established by decree on May 10, 1806, and organized by law on March 17, 1808, it was created as a body charged exclusively with teaching and public education. It succeeded earlier institutions such as the University of Paris and Aix University.

## Key Facts
- **Founded By:** Napoleon.
- **Inception:** Created by decree on **May 10, 1806**; organization and structure defined on **March 17, 1808**.
- **Instance of:** University.
- **Also Known As:** Université impériale, Universite de France, l'Université.
- **Country:** France (First French Empire).
- **Headquarters State:** Basic form of government was the First French Empire.
- **Predecessors:** Followed the University of Paris and Aix University.
- **Subsidiaries/Parts:** Included Aix University and the Académie de Bruxelles.
- **Mission:** Charged exclusively with teaching and public education throughout the Empire.
- **Educational Structure:** The 1808 text provided for six orders of schools: faculties (theology, law, medicine, letters, sciences), lycées, collèges, institutions, pensionnats, and "petites écoles" (primary).

## FAQs
### Q: Who founded the University of France?
A: The University of France was founded by Napoleon.

### Q: When was the University of France established?
A: The institution was formed by decree on May 10, 1806. Its detailed organizational structure, establishing six orders of schools, was enacted on March 17, 1808.

### Q: What was the purpose of the University of France?
A: It was formed as a body charged exclusively with teaching and public education publicques throughout the entire Empire.

### Q: What institutions did the University of France replace?
A: It followed (succeeded) the University of Paris and Aix University.

## Why It Matters
The University of France represents a pivotal moment in the history of education administration. Under the First French Empire, Napoleon centralized the management of education under this single entity. The founding decree explicitly stated that no one could open a school or teach publicly without the authorization of the University, ensuring a uniform system of instruction across the Empire.

This restructuring abolished the disparate older systems, such as the historic University of Paris, replacing them with a standardized hierarchy. The institution defined a specific educational ladder consisting of six orders of schools, ranging from primary "petites écoles" to advanced faculties in theology, law, medicine, letters, and sciences. Its influence extended geographically as well, managing subsidiaries like the Académie de Bruxelles, demonstrating the Empire's reach over educational standards in occupied territories.

## Notable For
- **Centralized Educational Monopoly:** Being the only body charged exclusively with teaching and public education in the Empire.
- **Napoleonic Foundation:** Being a direct creation of Napoleon to control and standardize education.
- **Structural Hierarchy:** Defining a specific six-tier system of schools (faculties, lycées, collèges, institutions, pensionnats, primary schools).
- **Imperial Scope:** Extending its administration to subsidiaries like the Académie de Bruxelles.
- **Historical Succession:** Officially following and replacing the historic University of Paris.

## Body

### Founding and Legal Status
The University of France was established during the First French Empire. The founding decree, issued on **May 10, 1806**, mandated the formation of a body under the name "Université impériale" (Imperial University). This entity was tasked exclusively with teaching and public education throughout the Empire.

The organizational law of **March 17, 1808**, elaborated on the structure, famously stating (in original French qualifiers): *"Il sera formé, sous le nom d'Université impériale, un corps chargé exclusivement de l'enseignement et de l'éducation publiques dans tout l'Empire."*

### Organizational Structure
According to the text of March 17, 1808, the University of France organized the educational landscape into six distinct orders of schools:
1.  **Faculties:** Specializing in theology, law, medicine, letters, and sciences.
2.  **Lycées** (Secondary schools).
3.  **Collèges**.
4.  **Institutions**.
5.  **Pensionnats** (Boarding schools).
6.  **Petites écoles** (Primary schools).

### Institutional Relationships
The University of France was designed to supersede previous educational institutions. It officially **followed** (replaced):
*   **University of Paris**
*   **Aix University** (Former university in Aix-en-Provence, founded in 1409).

While it centralized control, it also managed specific **subsidiaries** and **parts**, including:
*   **Académie de Bruxelles**
*   **Aix University** (as a component part).

### Alternative Names and Identifiers
The institution is referred to by several aliases in records, including *Université impériale*, *Universite imperiale*, and *l'Université*. It is distinct from the general concept of a "university in France" and is classified specifically as a former university. It is tracked in international authority files via its ISNI (0000000121742618) and Library of Congress ID (n79129804).

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
5. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
6. [Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno](https://ipac.svkkl.cz/arl-kl/cs/detail-kl_us_auth-0267659-Universite-de-France)
7. HMML Authority File